Israel and Palestine

March 23, 2011

The Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), issued the following statement in response to the bombing in Jerusalem today:

We have received word today of the detonation of a bomb near a bus stop in the city of Jerusalem. At least one death and numerous serious injuries are being reported.

We condemn this act of violence and the hatred out of which such acts spring.

On behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we call all people of good will to pray for those who have been victimized by this deadly act, and we renew our petitions to God to help us find a way to facilitate a future of peace in the region.

We recognize that this is not an isolated incident, but reflects the culture of violence that has troubled relationships between Palestinians and Israelis for so long. We urge swift action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this heinous act. We also urge all parties to refrain from using this incident to further escalate the cycle of violence and repression affecting both Israelis and Palestinians.

Every such incident reminds us all of the urgency of the quest to find common ground on which peace can be built.

February 19, 2011

The proposed resolution was consistent with previous Security Council resolutions on the settlements and statements of the United States. It was also consistent with statements of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

February 10, 2011

The EAPPI brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions.

January 21, 2011

Heavenly Father,We give you thanks and praise for your gift to us of your only Son, Jesus - His birth inBethlehem, His ministry throughout the Holy Land, His death on the Cross and His Resurrection and Ascension. He came to redeem this land and the world. He came as the Prince of Peace.

We give thanks to you for every church and parish around the world that is praying with us this day for peace. Our Holy City and our land are much in need of peace.In your unfathomable mystery and love for all, let the power of your Redemption and your Peace transcend all barriers of cultures and religions and fill the hearts of all who serve you here, of both peoples - Israeli and Palestinian - and of all religions.Send us political leaders ready to dedicate their lives to a just peace for their peoples.

Make them courageous enough to sign a treaty of peace that puts an end to the occupationimposed by one people on another, granting freedom to Palestinians, giving security to Israelis and freeing us all from fear. Give us leaders who understand the holiness of your city and will open it to all its inhabitants - Palestinian and Israeli - and to the world.

In the land you made holy, free all of us from the sin of hatred and killing. Free the souls andhearts of Israelis and Palestinians from this sin. Give liberation to the people of Gaza who liveunder unending trials and threats.

We trust in you, Heavenly Father. We believe you are good and we believe that your goodnesswill prevail over the evils of war and hatred in our land.We seek your blessing especially on the children and young people, that their fear and the anxiety of conflict may be replaced with the joy and happiness of peace. We pray too for the elderly and the handicapped, for their well-being and for the contribution they can make to the future of this land.

We pray, finally, for the refugees scattered across the world because of this conflict.God give the politicians and governments responsible for them the wisdom and courage to find suitable and just solutions.All this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions.

December 21, 2010

Bishop Younan, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, reflects on what he calls the first two words of Christmas: "Fear not."

These were the first words heard by the shepherds, by Zechariah, and by Mary.

Bishop Younan reflects on the reasons each of these had to fear - and the good news of great joy for all people that they received - good news that began with the words "Fear not"

Today, people know fear well, Bishop Younan states:

Many Christians in many parts of the Middle East are increasingly cowering in fear and becoming timid in their witness.

And

Palestinians and Israelis today face a common enemy: fear. In the absence of justice and peace, the common denominator is fear. Fear of the other. Fear for the future. Fear that freedom is not coming. Fear that children will grow in hatred. Fear of insecurity. Fear of the occupation. Fear is our common prison that keeps us locked up in cycles of mistrust and shattered dreams. It is a fear that builds non-productive “facts on the ground”. It is a fear that will only ever vanish when there is peace based on justice and reconciliation built on forgiveness. We proclaim that such a just peace is possible today. We pray that all political leaders will seize the opportunity before it is too late. The same message of the first Christmas rings true today, “Fear not!” There is a child who was born into a world of fear in order to take away that fear and to bring peace to earth and good will to humankind.

In such times, Bishop Younan notes,

The Christmas message must speak loud and clear once again, “Fear not!” We are in need of a heavenly angel, a messenger of God, who says, “Do not be afraid.” “Fear not, Zechariah. Fear not, Joseph. Fear not, Mary. Fear not, shepherds. Fear not, Palestinian Christians. Fear not, Arab Christians. God hears you. God loves you. God empowers you. God calls you to be a vibrant and living witness in this place at this critical time in history.”

He closes with the prayer that the message of the first Christmas may be heard:

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine, marks the birthplace of Jesus. Pilgrims shuffle through the Byzantine church to wait their turn to enter the cave where Jesus was born. At Christmas we assemble Nativity sets and reenact pageants to commemorate this occasion. We typically focus on the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

When I entered the cave in the church, I discovered two holy sites. Candles and gold decorated a stone feeding trough that cradled the baby king. The more celebrated site, however, was not the one that we reconstruct at Christmas but the spot where Mary gave birth to Jesus—the place where God became human.

The story of the angel Gabriel’s prophetic visit to Mary shocks us back into the reality of Christmas. The account tells us that Mary was “perplexed,” “pondering,” and “afraid” (vv. 28–29). This pregnancy would be very difficult for her to explain and even harder for others to celebrate. Mary would deliver her baby on the cold cave floor, away from her home and family.Despite obstacles and improbabilities, Mary takes the angel’s words to heart: “nothing will be impossible with God” (v. 37). The birth of Mary’s baby announces that God is now with us. Not disguising her questions or her fears, Mary demonstrates a faithful response to God’s incarnation: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (v. 38).

PrayerO God, you care for and know my most human moments. Here I am. I am your servant. Even in my doubts, my ponderings, my questions, guide me according to your word, for nothing will be impossible with you. Amen.